Committee advances $138,324 Axon contract for interview‑room audio/video to full council

The Public Safety Committee moved an ordinance to the full Wilmington City Council on March 10 that would authorize a five‑year agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. to update interview room equipment used by the Criminal Investigations Division and Internal Affairs.

Dr. David Carris, the city’s director of policy and communications, told the committee the contract totals $138,324 over five years — about $27,665 per year — to replace outdated, failure‑prone cameras and microphones in six interview rooms (five in the detectives division and one in Internal Affairs). He said the system includes technical support and integrates with evidence.com, the same platform the city uses for body‑worn camera footage.

Dr. Carris said the equipment purchase is funded from existing budgeted funds and would not require additional appropriations. Committee members asked about the number of rooms, support and storage; Carris said the purchase covers six rooms and that Axon’s platform allows prosecutors to access evidence files in a single location.

Committee chair Councilwoman Yolanda McCoy called for a motion; the ordinance was moved, seconded and advanced to the full council for consideration on April 3.

Next steps: the ordinance will appear on the full City Council agenda on April 3 for a final vote.